Patent GB-658971-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for sorting record cards
Filed: 1948-01-13
Abstract: 658,971. Statistical apparatus. STUIVENBERG, C. H. Jan. 13, 1948, No. 1054. [Class 106 (i)] A machine for sorting record cards comprising a transport path for the cards, a sensing station in the path, a branching point in said path, directing means for distributing the cards over the branches, and collecting pockets, each having a device for deflecting cards into it, in each branch, is characterized in that pockets in different branches intended to receive cards having a data-representing perforation or mark in the same data position are arranged at equal distances from the directing means and in that the deflecting devices associated with each such group of pockets have interconnected operating means and the operating means of the several groups are connected to a delay device which also operates the directing means and is controlled by the sensing device. The first embodiment of the invention is for sorting record cards in which letters and symbols are represented by combinations of a hole in a number position " 1 " to " 9 with a hole in the " 12," " 11 " or " 0 " position. The cards are fed by rollers to an electric-contact sensing-device 21, Figs. 2 and 4, and the circuits of one or two electromagnets 75 are completed through the sensing device and a distributer 85, the energized magnet or magnets corresponding with the position of the hole or holes in the column being sensed. Associated with each magnet is a delaying device, Fig. 3, and energization of a magnet 75 withdraws a pawl 74 to allow a sprung rod 72 to push a ball 78 between two adjacent teeth of a rotating wheel 57. The rod 72 is immediately restored by a lever 83 operated by an arm 81 cammed counter-clockwise by the passage of the ball. The balls are carried round by the wheels 57 until removed by a tongue 77 associated with each wheel. They are then forced round a channel 80 by following balls, a sprung plunger 79 preventing a backward movement. Associated with each wheel 57 corresponding to a position " 1 " to " 9 " at an appropriate position around its circumference is a lever 63-71 connected through a chain of links to operate a corresponding deflector 25, Fig. 2, when the lever is cammed counter-clockwise by the passage of the ball. Thus, if a card has one hole only in a position " 1 " to " 9 " it is conveyed through the centre of a guide 24 and then by rollers 201 to the operated deflector 25 and so into the corresponding compartment " 1 " to " 9 "-If the card has a hole in the " 12 " position, a ball pushed into the corresponding wheel 57 rocks a lever 59 which operates a deflector 23 which co-operates with the guide 24 to direct the card to a path of rollers 29 and so to a compartment 12 if no other hole is sensed. If, however, a hole is present in a number position, the associated deflector 25 is operated and operates, through a link 36, a deflector 31 to deflect the card into a compartment appropriate to the combination of holes. Similarly, if a hole in the " 11 " position is sensed, a lever 60 is rocked to operate a deflector 22. Moreover, a second lever 61 is associated with the wheel 57 corresponding with the " 11 " position, and when rocked by a ball, it operates a deflector 32 at an appropriate moment so that the card enters a path of rollers 34 to be directed, if a further hole is sensed, by a deflector 35 connected to the corresponding deflector 25 by a link 37. If a hole is present in the " 0 " position, an electromagnet 86 is energized in addition to the magnet 75 0  so that a sprung rod 90, Fig. 4, is released until it is engaged by a pawl 89 operated by an electromagnet 87. If one of the magnets 75 1 -75 9  is also energized, contacts 101 closed thereby complete a circuit through the magnet 87, thus causing the complete release of the rod 90 so that it pushes a forked arm 92 clockwise about its pivotal connection to a cam-controlled lever 94. Subsequent rotation of the cam causes the arm 92 to engage and rock a lever 55 connected to the deflector 22 so that the card is directed into a bottom path and into an appropriate compartment by a deflector 28 connected to the corresponding deflector 25 by links 38 and 37. An arm 99 pivoted to the lever 94 restores the rod 90. If a hole is present only in the " 0 " position, the deflector 22 is not operated and the card passes through the guide 24 and is directed into a " 0 " compartment by a deflector 25 controlled by a lever 62 associated with the " 0 " wheel 57. In order that the deflectors 31, 25, 35 and 28 should operate at the proper times, those corresponding to the same number position are spaced at equal distances along the paths of the cards. The cam 96 and associated mechanism may be replaced by a further wheel 57 associated with a lever connected to the shutter 22 and, since a ball is only introduced into this wheel at the end of the sensing of a card, the distance between the sensing device 21 and the deflector 22 is increased and the levers 59-71 are moved further round in the direction of rotation of the wheels 57. The electromagnet 87 may be energized through a contact strip, corresponding to the number positions, on the distributer, or through an additional distributer, instead of through the contacts 101, and switches may be included in the circuits of the magnets 75 to enable them to be disabled if required. A second embodiment of the invention is for use with cards in which letters and symbols are represented by a hole in a number position " 0 " to " 9 " in combination with a hole in the " 11 " or " 12 " position or with holes in both of these positions. In this case, the deflector 23 is operated by a link 49, Fig. 7, through a pin-and-slot connection, when a hole is present in the " 11 " but not in the " 12 " position, to direct cards to the upper path. If a hole is present in the " 12 " position, the deflector 22 is operated by a link 47 and a tail 105 of an arm rigid with the deflector prevents operation of the deflector 23 even though a hole is sensed in the " 11 " position. If holes are present in both " 11 " and " 12 " positions, the card is thus directed by the deflectors 22 and 32 to the rollers 34, whilst if a hole is sensed in the " 12 " position only the card is directed to the lowermost path. A hand lever (not shown) may be set to disengage the links 47, 49 from their actuating levers so that the deflectors 22, 23 are rendered inoperative and all cards are passed through the guide 24 to the rollers 201. In this case, an additional lever is rocked by balls in the wheel 57 of the " 12 " position to operate a deflector for a compartment to take all cards having holes in the " 12 " position. A further compartment for cards having holes in the " 11 " but not in the " 12 " position is associated with a deflector connected to operate with the deflector 32.